Sunday, 20 February 2022

Blog announcement

Due to going away on Friday morning for a long weekend holiday, they’ll be no pre-match blog-posting ahead of our trip to Everton; a game I’m also unlikely to get to watch and, so… 🤞

This was always going to be, of course, a game we need to win – we were certainly never in a position to 'take our foot off the accelerator'. But having suffered an irritating home defeat to Spurs, yesterday, there does seem, understandably, a greater need / urgency to keep picking up 3 points; starting, ironically, in Merseyside this-coming Saturday (5:30pm GMT).

Brief thoughts on that Spurs defeat? I’ll just 'copy & paste' what I wrote on a vlog this morning:

I feel like I'm to blame for that result yesterday, in some ways, as I painted two scenarios in my pre-match blog where, in the first scenario, we lost and Harry Kane scored a hat-trick! 🙄

Very disappointing to lose at home to a side who have lost 3 league games in a row but, as I say, I sort of saw it coming - flippin' Spurs have a nasty habit of doing that to us, especially at crucial times and when we least need it...or at least that's how it seems to me.

Too many players had below-par performances at the same time - I even thought some of our better players' passing was off yesterday, although I have to give Tottenham a lot of credit for the way their bank of 5 defenders and 4 midfielders worked hard to make the passing spaces tight.

Just need to reset & focus now and a trip to Goodison, next up, is something that should force us to do.

I think 21 shots and only 4 on target tells an old, sadly-familiar story too...

Thanks, as always, for taking the time to read and, hopefully, I’ll be back blogging ahead of our trip to Peterborough United in the 5th round of the F.A. Cup on Tuesday 1st March (7:15pm GMT).

Next up - Goodison Park

C’mon City!

Saturday, 19 February 2022

Beware the wounded animal or…

…are they just pants?

v Tottenham Hotspur

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 11/11).

Apart from an update regarding Jack Grealish, Pep explained in his pre-match press conference that he’ll know better about other players / possible doubts following Friday afternoon’s training session. Since then – and as I type this – there’s been no further update and, so, I’m gonna have to employ far more guesswork that I would otherwise like…

Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:

______________________________________________

 

Sterling_____________De Bruyne___________Mahrez

 

__________Foden_________________Silva__________

 

______________________Rodri____________________

Cancelo__________________________________Walker

 

___________Laporte______________Dias___________

 

 

_____________________Ederson__________________

Subs: Carson, Slicker, Zinchenko, Ake, Stone, Fernandinho, Gundogan, McAtee, Delap.

I’m gonna save myself a little time here and simply say that, aside from changing our right-back following our last outing from John to Kyle, I’m going for our manager to pick the same side that came back from Portugal 0-5 victors.

There’s a chance ‘the boss’ might stick two keepers on the bench - although if he does, it doesn’t exactly say much about his confidence in veteran, Scott – and if that’s the case; it’ll be Cieran joining the 4-times-capped, England international stopper. Oleksandr, Nathan & John are the defensive replacements on the side; Fernandinho, Ilkay, James & Liam are the midfield / more attacking options in ‘the 9’.

I suppose there’s a chance that we’ll go with just one reserve goalie and, instead, bring in another outfield youth player; either in the form of a defender or midfielder / winger. As I say, lots more guesswork with this one…

Notable absences:

-       Zack Steffen – Didn’t travel with the squad to Portugal and both then and now there was no reason given. Therefore, I’m just going to have to assume that he’s still not fit / available.

-       Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.

-       Cole Palmer – No update on the recently ‘missing in action’ youngster and so it’s another ‘assumed still injured’ from me.

-       Jack Grealish – Continues to recover from a shin issue but isn’t quite ready to resume action just yet.

-       Gabriel Jesus – Just as with the Cole Palmer situation, there’s still no update about the Brazilian forward. I’m having to presume, therefore, that he’s still not recovered from a niggle that he came back with whilst on international duty the other week.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

Sure do.

Result? On this occasion and for the first ever time, I’m going to do this section like this (it won’t be a regular format but feels right to do it this way on this occasion):

Scenario 1:

The wounded animal strikes out! 3, back-to-back league defeats is too much for them to take and is something both their manager and players will want to put right (I’m sure this’ll be the case in both scenarios, to be honest). And what better way to ‘right themselves’ against-not-only the side that everyone else wants to beat these days but one, who, they’ve managed to ‘stick the knife in’ all too often over the decades (people who know me and regular readers might recall that I’ve had ‘a thing’ about Spurs ever since the 1981 F.A. Cup Final). They have a nasty habit of frustrating and irritating the crap out of me at times and I’ve got a little bit of that ‘Spurs feeling’ once again ahead of this evening’s fixture (5:30pm KO GMT).

Despite their woes, they have a few danger men in their side and not only should we expect livewire Son Heung-Min to be a thorn in our side; wouldn’t it be old, ‘typical City’ to see Harry Kane go from-having just 5 league goals all season to scoring a hat-trick at the Etihad later on today?

We come back from our brilliant display and victory in midweek all ‘full of ourselves’ and fail to adjust to life back in windy-ol’ England. And following a scary flight home also, we find ourselves ‘out of sorts’ and then ‘put out of sight’ by a Tottenham side who take their chances and ‘pick us off’. A home defeat and celebrations in Merseyside

Scenario 2:

Our visitors prove to be as fragmented and generally bobbins as their league stats illustrate; having-not-only lost their last 3 outings but having won just 11 of their 22 so far; losing 8 in that time.

As they prepare to face the meanest defence in the league, they’re only just over a goal per game too; leaving the North London side with an even harder task to add to their 28 goals scored. It’s also rare to see a side in 8th place and just 3 points off 6th with a negative goal difference but The Lilywhites have managed that too, as they stand on -1 having conceded 29 in 22 matches.

We come back from our brilliant display and victory in midweek with even more confidence than we already had; adding to our brilliant momentum of 15 league games undefeated; winning 14 and drawing 1.

We’ve got ‘that swagger’ about us now. Not an arrogant one, as some non-City fans might think when reading that, but rather that one City fans should recognise all too well; in that every player has absolute confidence in both themselves and their teammates; backed up with incredible, INCREDIBLE work rate.

Show no complacency whatsoever (our manager has already warned about this, so that’s good) this evening and hit the ground running as soon as the first whistle blows and I’m confident that we’ll see ‘Scenario 2’. It’s a home win for me.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Prediction: Win

Result: Won

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a cold and still-blustery start to the day [after two named storms this week]…it dries up at least in time for kick-off. 2C with a strong, westerly breeze is still enough to cut a chill right through those who aren’t dressed appropriately but, as I say, at least there’s some respite from the ‘wet stuff’.


Tuesday, 15 February 2022

Tough game ahead in Portugal, I would suggest

I suppose most of ‘em are in this competition; especially from this stage onwards…

v Sporting CP

The rather green-looking, José Alvalade Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 8/11).

Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:

______________________________________________

 

Sterling_____________De Bruyne___________Mahrez

 

__________Foden_________________Silva__________

 

______________________Rodri____________________

Cancelo__________________________________Stones

 

___________Laporte______________Dias___________

 

 

_____________________Ederson__________________

Subs: Carson, Slicker, Zinchenko, Ake, Mbete, Fernandinho, Lavia, Gundogan, McAtee, Kayky, Delap.

Ederson continues to have ownership of the gloves.

A strongly-predicted back-4 comes in the form of Joao, Aymeric, Ruben & John.

Rodders to both help the defence and link up with the interchangeable, attacking 5 ahead of him, which I think will consist of Raheem, Phil, Kevin, Bernardo & Riyad.

Both Scott & Cieran provide keeper cover; Oleksandr, Nathan & Luke are the defensive replacement options in ‘the 11’ (from 12 allowed). Fernandinho, Romeo, Ilkay, James, Kayky & Liam are the midfielders / wingers / strikers available on the side.

Notable absences:

-       Zack Steffen – Hasn’t travelled with the squad having been reported as injured. No details on what the injury is or how long the American keeper will be out for so any speculation about whether it’s a ‘flare up’ of a recent back niggle would be just that…speculation.

-       Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.

-       Kyle Walker - Suspended for this game (and the next two Champions League fixtures).

-       Cole Palmer – Still out injured with a foot injury following our F.A. Cup clash with Swindon Town. Still no news of a possible return date.

-       Jack Grealish – Has a shin injury; a problem that both kept him out of our league win against Norwich City last Saturday and, if it’s a similar problem to one that he’s had in the past; an issue that kept him out of his previous club’s side, Aston Villa, for a couple of months or so last season…

-       Gabriel Jesus – Still not available having picked up an issue following action with his national side quite recently. Similar to Cole Palmer, there’s no update on a possible return date.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

I’d be lying if I said that I don’t have some concern about our makeshift right-back, John, which is no disrespect to him whatsoever but other than that; it’s a very good-looking 11. A good mix on the bench too in case we need to ‘change things up’.

Result? From what I understand, our hosts are a strong side who defend very well but who-also like to both press the opposition and win possession back quickly. Apart from the fact that, apparently, their preferred formation is 5-2-3; does that remind you of anyone?

Having an almost identical league record to current league leaders, Porto; just 2 defeats from 22 games played sees last season’s champions just 6 points off their title challengers and they have the meanest defence, with just 15 goals conceded whilst scoring 43 in that time.

Of course, we’re in extremely good form ourselves and we’re sure to see our manager put out his strongest, available side…or at least you’d think so.

They did, however, barely make it through to the knock-out stages and for whatever reason, their group stage results in this competition are far from their domestic league standing; winning 3 but losing 3 also. Only goal difference, or perhaps their results against 3rd-place Borussia Dortmund, saw them progress (I can’t recall how those situations work and I just can’t be bothered to look it up now that it's past and ahead of this game, sorry).

I am so very close to putting this down as a draw and I think it will be a very close affair. Up to yesterday, that was, in fact, going to be my predicted result. Now on the day of the match and having looked at their group stage table as it finished; I’m changing my mind.

It might well be a narrow one but I’m going for a City win. 🤞

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: No situation that will affect the game and the fans should feel relatively comfortable too. After a lovely, sunny day in the region, the game sees 11C, dry and just a light, north-westerly breeze. I’m personally quite envious of those conditions back in the north west of England at the moment and with two ‘named storms’ on the way, I don’t know about you

Saturday, 12 February 2022

v Norwich City – No room for league complacency despite…

…having a Champions League fixture to think about just 3 days later.

Firstly, looking back at the Brentford clash

(A game I just about managed to mostly watch despite having a terrible cold)

·         I thought, once again, that Ederson was brilliant in contributing to us-gaining another 3 points, whilst at the same time securing another clean sheet for himself! I occasionally speak to a red who stops short of saying that our Brazilian stopper is no good but often questions his ‘basic goalkeeping skills’. Of course, when speaking to him about this, I have none of it. I do admit to this fella that Ed has a few ‘balloon moments’ each season where he does something really, really silly but that aside; he’s far, far more than just a modern-day keeper who’s good excellent with his feet – he’s a bloody good ‘shot stopper’ and so very, VERY brave!


·         I was surprised to see Kyle Walker on the bench and John Stones at right back and my initial feeling was that Pep wanted more ‘height options’ on the pitch – perhaps he’d spotted something either in our opponent’s attack or the way we can attack them, I thought to myself as I blew my nose for the 100th+ time. In the cold light of day and with my cold a mere 10% better the morning after the match; I wondered whether it was a rehearsal / experiment ahead of Kyle being unavailable for three, up & coming Champions League games due to suspension for what has been deemed violent conduct in our last European outing. John has played in that position on at least three occasions, if memory serves correctly, and he’s always done okay. On Wednesday night against The Bees, I thought he did…okay again. But aside from his slip after trying to control a ball which appeared, to me at least, to hit his midriff; I thought he looked like a central defender trying to do an impression of a right-back and it’s left me feeling a little uneasy should that be the plan against better, European opposition. But, as I say, perhaps it’s just an experiment at this stage – there’s still the option of putting Joao Cancelo on his more-natural right side and installing Oleksandr Zinchenko or “A.N. Other” on the left.

·         Speaking of which, I thought Joao had another very, very good game. It’s a shame, though, that his shooting was a little off on the night, as he got himself into 2 or 3 really good positions to hit the back of the net. Man of the Match though.


·         Riyad Mahrez continues his good form – his international break and early exit from the AFCON has not interrupted the improvement in performances that we saw from the Algerian before he flew off.

·         The Manchester Evening News gave Raheem Sterling 8/10 and I have to disagree. The England man, who got himself into some good form up until the Southampton fixture, did have a decent game and his work rate was excellent. But my word, he continues to frustrate the hell out of me and so many other Blues; largely whenever he’s in the opposition’s box. He’s got the tricks and can draw fouls but for someone with his ability, which we’ve seen so-very often, and who operates under the guidance of one of the best coaches in the world; he’s so generally inconsistent and dithery in his decision making at times. I just about gave him a decent 7 on Wednesday night. Said with gritted teeth – he’s capable of so much more!

·         Jack Grealish: On the pitch for the last 27 minutes (including 3 minutes of added-on time) - another 27 minutes of absolutely nothing of any note from the 26-½ year-old England international. I know that sounds a little blunt / harsh and I truly, truly hope that the pattern follows that of Joao Cancelo & Rodri who improved SO much after their first seasons. But for the moment, at least, and this season so far…jeeeeeze.


·         I thought there were a few ‘alarm moments’ at the back when we looked a little slack but managed to get away with it – I remember thinking that better sides with more quality up front would have punished us for the sloppiness we lapsed into at times. I hate it when we look like we’re going to undo all our hard work like that…

·         Overall, I thought it was one of those performances where no one player REALLY stood out and it was collective organisation, determination and work rate – along with errors from the opposition – that won it for us in the end; one of those where the points were far more important than the performance. I think that was summed up perfectly in Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne & Phil Foden’s performances – decent, hard graft but without necessarily being spectacular. One article I stumbled across described our performance, at times, as being “passive”. I think that’s a good descriptive word to use on this occasion.

v Norwich City

Carrow Road

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).

Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:

______________________________________________

 

Foden______________De Bruyne____________Mahrez

 

_________Gundogan______________Silva__________

 

______________________Rodri____________________

Zinchenko________________________________Walker

 

___________Laporte______________Dias___________

 

 

_____________________Ederson__________________

Subs: Steffen, Cancelo, Ake, Stones, Fernandinho, Grealish, McAtee, Sterling, Delap.

Ederson, despite a bruising moment in our last game, continues in net.

‘To Walker’ or not ‘to Walker’? ‘To Cancelo’ or not…

With the experiment of using John Stones at right-back having taken place last Wednesday night, I’m going with my ‘gut feeling’ that Pep will want to protect his makeshift right-back and install the much-rested Kyle on the right-side of our defence this evening. Similarly, and ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League game, I’m guessing that our Spanish boss will want to keep safe his vital chess piece, Joao Cancelo. Therefore, I’m suggesting that we’ll see a back-4 of Oleksandr, Aymeric, Ruben & Kyle later today.

Rodders “sits” just ahead of those and ahead of him is our usual, fluid, interchangeable 5 and I think that’ll come in the form of Phil, Ilkay, Kevin, Bernardo & very much in-form Riyad; resisting, as I have, a small voice in my head that’s telling me Guardiola might be tempted to start Jack; with-there-perhaps-being some extra motivation for the England man facing, as he would, his former boss.

Zack continues to be reserve stopper; Joao, Nathan & John provide defensive back up. Fernandinho, Jack, James, Raheem & Liam are the midfield / wing / striking options in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

-       Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.

-       Cole Palmer – Still out injured and there’s STILL no update from our manager about a possible return date. Sounds like it could be a little more serious than, perhaps, initially thought following the Swindon game, which he excelled in…

-       Gabriel Jesus – We’re still being told that he’s ‘close to a return’ – not sure if they’re just being cautious or whether he’s being ‘primed’ for a midweek return in the Champions League and beyond in a heavy fixture list…

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

I sure do.

Result? Without looking back too far, I recall our history against The Canaries largely being in our favour; to the point, in fact, where I considered us to be their bogey side. Every game against the team from Norfolk I would go into it feeling very confident…well, as confident as you can be as a lifelong Manchester City fan.

That mostly continued into our ‘post takeover’ era, I’ll call it, but then the odd, “shock” result would come to ‘bite us on the behind’ on ‘their patch’ (and one on ours, I think I recall?). And, once again from memory, it wasn’t just the result that went the way of yellow & greens; it was how unrecognisable we were as they tore at us and took all-3 points.

Having been undefeated in our opening 4 games of the season - scoring 14 goals in that time - the last time we met at Carrow Road in the league was in mid-September of the 2019/20 season and we were trailing 3-1 on 50 minutes. Only an 88th minute Rodri screamer made the result look a little less shocking. What I remember of that game was that for the first 15 minutes, we looked in complete control but then started doing ‘that thing’ we are sometimes guilty of, which is haphazardly slapping the ball around as though we don’t have to try too hard to come away with a win; before rediscovering the hard way that there are no ‘easy wins’ in the Premier League.

I hope we’ll be having none of that this evening…

Following on from that, we face a side today who are not only still fighting for their Premier League lives but who have also found some league form; with 2 wins followed by a draw.

This is another game our players have to take seriously in terms of not-assuming that we can just ‘turn up’.

Aside from rare, momentary lapses from us that I’ve already alluded to, I don’t see that happening later on today to be honest. This is an away win for me.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Whilst it’s raining nearly all day back in good ol’ Manchester, it’s gonna be a lot dryer in the south east of the country. That big-bright, yellow thing above might even be visible low in the sky not long before KO (5:30pm GMT) too! However, there’s going to be a strong wind blowing in from the south, which could affect the ball / gameplay to some extent at one end / corner of the ground. Keep the ball on the floor as much as possible, would be my advice to the players; wear a warm coat as day turns into night and the temperature dips to 6C, would be my advice to the fans.